9.28.2016

I will NOT put a shirt on.

After having my surgery I of course started to get nasty comments and messages - "it was my own fault for being fat" - "I need to put a shirt on" - "what lesson am I teaching my daughter? That I have to spend thousands of dollars to feel good about myself?"

At first it really annoyed me, so much so that I found myself putting on a shirt. Then I thought - EFF THAT. I will not be shamed into doing ANYTHING I don't want to do.

I've been taking my shirt off for years - long before I had surgery.

I wasn't ashamed then and I won't be ashamed now.

This here blog, my Instagram, my Snapchat, my Periscope, my Facebook - is all about my life. Fitness and all the things that go along with it are the backbone, so if you don't like to see my body then you're welcome to not come around here anymore. I've shared the good, the bad, the ugly.

I'll also give you a eye opening tid bit - having your skin removed is not the same as them cutting off your fat. You still need to be active and eat right, so when will it ever be enough?

Hopefully never - I pray that I wake up each day with a vigor to improve an area of my life. If not my body, than my relationship with God or my family. To be a better parent than I was yesterday. To be a better business woman. To be a better friend. The day I stop trying to outdo myself will be the day I have given up.

Do you know why I've been so consistent in my fitness? I don't stop changing it up, I can name the hundred's of ways I've used to lose weight.

There is no wrong way to get healthy! I had success using all of these tools, but I get bored. Starting Crossfit this year has renewed my passion, I was getting stale at the gym. God led me here - not for myself, but for my family. In the 16 years I've been with Oliver I have never seen him stick with anything for this long. Marriage is hard, but it is less hard when we have a common interest we can share together.

and yes, what lessons am I teaching my daughter?

Hard work pays off.
Be consistent.
Take your shirt off if you want to!
There is a world outside of Minecraft ;)

Do I think she will grow up to judge me for having plastic surgery?
No. Would I have judged my own mother for doing it? No.

I'm sure she'll have her own list of complaints about how I failed her as a Mother, but that's the circle of life. I think we all judge our parents to harshly, until we are grown and see just how hard it is to always do the exact right thing.

91 comments
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YOU ARE AMAZING!!!! Take the shirt off and be proud every day for all of your accomplishments in every aspect of your life! It boggles my mind that haters take time out to look people up and comment nasty stuff......hey you gave me the time of day so I must be worth something to you! Stay strong! Keep being you! Keep rockin' it!!!! <3 ~Laura

If my mom had showed me the things you're teaching Madison by example, I probably wouldn't have been so miserable growing up (or really until I started to learn it on my own and lose the weight). You're amazing. You make a difference. But you already know that 💪 (also my mom is amazing, she just didn't know about nutrition. Lots of people don't. It wasn't taught to me growing up via school etc.)

Nasty comments like those come from pure jealousy! I admire your passion and determination. Keyboard warriors at their finest - in order to make themselves feel good they must tear down others. Eff em Megan! You rock! xoxo

Good for you!! I've always loved the confidence that you have. Don't listen to them. You have set such an amazing example for your family and look at what you've accomplished doing that! Everyone is taking an interest in leading a healthier lifestyle. YOU paved that road for them. Don't ever change! I love following you EVERYWHERE!

I think you are awesome. You give me hope that one day I will win my own battle with weight. You earned all of your success. Go and enjoy it. Take your shirt off whenever you want. As women we need to start celebrating each other's victories not shaming each other.

Yeah, you know what? It IS my fault for getting fat. But, it's THEIR fault for being judgmental assholes. At the end of the day, I'd rather be fat and have to work my ass off to make myself healthier than being a bitch behind a computer because I'm so unhappy with myself that I need to put others down. Look at how many people you've encouraged and motivated (myself included) with your journey. Madison is clearly developing great habits from your influence...a LOT of us are developing great habits by watching YOU. So F them! Don't put a damn shirt on!

You do you!!! My opinion on people who need to through out negative comments such as the ones you listed, are that they are bitter and angry about something going on in their own lives, and they have to do something with that energy. Those people who are happy, thriving, and confident are easy targets. Pray for those peeps cause it sucks to be them!

I hardly ever comment on your posts anymore (haven't in years probably!), but I think it's amazing that you all are Crossfitting as a family! What wonderful, healthy, positive life long memories you're creating for your children. -Emily

PLEASE take your shirt off!! ;) Ive been following you for years(that sounds creepy) and you've never stopped inspiring me! Now that I may become a mom soon, you motivate me to get my body back and not be ashamed! Haters gonna hate! <3

Amen sista! I think you are so amazing, sweet and kind...Take your shirt off everyday.. You should be very proud of your accomplishments..you and your family are amazing and I love being apart of your journey..

Wow! I cannot believe people have posted that to you! What is this HIGH SCHOOL! Megan you are an inspiration to thousands of woman and I have loved watching your body change and all your hard ass work! Am I envious...well obviously...but that's because I see you and know I can do it too but I'm just get too lazy! It's my own fault! You are a beautiful person inside and out and you keep doing you and staying amazing!

Good girl!!!! This summer I actually ran with no shirt on! GASP!!! I can tell you I got a lot more sideways stares from the woman (not in a nice way) and more cat calls from men. No waves while I ran.. sad! I got home and got mad. It was bloody hot out. And dang it I've worked my @ss off to lose 80 lbs. Piss on anyone who thinks it's inappropriate or looks down on us for being comfortable doing what we do! Their feelings are their issues! Not ours!

Clearly those judging haven't been followers for very long, or at all - considering you did all you could physically, mentally and emotionally for yourself before you decided to have surgery. NO SHAME IN YO GAME GIRL! You work your butt off, and we're all proud of you!!! Keep it up - you're inspiring many! I've always said... "Keep talking smack, you're making me famous!" :)

Megan ***** You have no idea. This makes me want to call you and tell you how this post is just what I needed RIGHT NOW. Just perfect. It's like a friend telling me exactly what I needed to hear. And makes me think of something I felt at crossfit yesterday. Thank you friend. <3

Keep on! I've followed you for a long time and you are nothing if not inspiring. You are a great example to your children if for nothing else then giving it your all. Let the haters hate! (Because I'm sure that the people commenting hate are great parents themselves *eye roll*)

I love everything about this post. Keep being YOU. That is what most of us are here for. And it is refreshing that you continue to do it. You know yourself. Who you are. What you want and don't want out of life. Not anyone else who reads this blog or follows your other accounts. We got your back Megan!

You go girl! I'll never understand why people have to be so ugly to each other. Not everyone will agree with the choices someone else makes; however, unless it affects their lives directly, they need to just move on along. No commentary is necessary.

This blog post is perfect SkinnyMeg...spot on!! I am proud to have been following you all these years and getting to watch your accomplishments!! Thank you for the constant inspiration and encouragement!!

Look at all these encouraging comments! You reap what you sow, and you my friend, have sown a community of women who were once hopeless, believing in themselves. You've sown solidarity, confidence, passion, health. You were my inspiration to take back my life and nearly 5 years later, my journey is still in progress, but I am constantly motivated by you and your passion to live well. May we never forget where we came from, what we've walked through and where we're going.

This is exactly the reason I follow you and thing your amazing! I look up to you for encouragement. I've learned so much from you over the last couple years. Everyone is my house (hubby and 3 kids) know about how much I 💙SM! Thank you for your beautiful, loving spirit. If it wasn't for you (and of course Poppy and Paige) I wouldn't be where I amToday. I wish you knew how special you are to so many!

Girl you have inspired me beyond belief. Last week, I legit pulled your blog up during date night and was like "I want to be her when I grow up." I mean, I am only 29 and have 3 kids. I can still dream, right?! hahaha

You have fake hair, fake boobs, fake lashes, a fake tan . . . You can take your shirt off and be proud all you want of your weightloss, but dont hide it under "my daughter is being taught to be strong" facade. Cause you are really teaching her shes not good enough in her own skin without the fake. And teaching any little girl it's ok to take her shirt off. . . well . . . you're digging your own grave there.

Someone who doesn't show their name and decides to hide behind a keyboard is EXACTLY who she is speaking to. Stop following her, on social media, if you don't like it. Yes, it's your right to follow anyone and say whatever you want, but don't hide from it. Own your shit if you are going to bash someone. I wonder, have you ever died your hair? Have you ever worn mascara? Look in the mirror. When you point the finger, you have 4 pointing back at you. PS...she isn't taking her shirt off to show off her tits nor is she letting her sweet baby girl do the same. Grow up and grow a pair.

Oh Holly. I had no problem and commend for the weightloss. But to hide it behind "Im teaching how strong I am" while doing so in a full makeup and extensions is ludicrous. In fact, I think it's also ludicrous and stupid to buy little girls bras so they can "be just like mom". A little girl who shouldnt know what a bra is until she needs one cause she is wearing clothing. In fact, good idea, let's post pictures of little girls taking their shirts off on the internet with descriptions of where they are doing this. Totally smart move there. Never been a dateline episode or anything that was of an opinion opposite that.

Well said! People never cease to amaze me in the way that they judge from the sideline and in the comfort of anonymity! You are REAL which is why so many women (like me) feel like we know you, that we have things in common with you and that is the reason we follow you! Keep it up!

I'm SICK TO DEATH of body shamers who make people feel badly about their imperfections or anything else for that matter. SICK.TO.DEATH. Good for you. Thank you for your vulnerable posts and inspiration. I've never commented, but have been reading your blog for a few years. THANK YOU. Keep up the awesome work. STAY WHO YOU ARE

I just don't get people!!! you are an inspiration to so many including your daughter. you did not take the easy way out and you work VERY VERY hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle and your kids see that and that is amazing. thank you for being so open and true.

Awesome post. Your a mother, wife, business woman etc. You work hard and it shows. What YOU are showing your daughter is hard work pays off!! Keep up the hard work! Don't let judgmental wannabes steal you light!!

I love to read here because you don't apologize for who you are. My mother shamed me for being chubby for as long as I can remember. I have struggled as a teen, adult and mother myself bc it was ingrained in me to be ashamed of a body that wasn't "perfect". I absolutely relish the way you have chosen to parent (especially your daughter) by teaching a healthy lifestyle with variety and fun!The most critical people are usually the most jealous, bless their hearts. ;)

I'm horrified anyone would comment negatively to your posts. What are they telling their daughters? that if you don't like someone or their actions that you should publicly shame them on the internet? I'm 28 and have yet to find a way my mother has failed me. I'm sure Twilight Sparkle will feel the same. Keep kicking ass and taking names. You're �� in my book!

This deserves one of those slow claps that one person starts and then it just sort of spreads through a crowd and gets crazy.. you know the ones I mean?

I love the confidence that your daughter obviously has. That kind that can only be taught by a mom who has confidence too. I would do anything to go back and learn that with my mom! You do you, you're doing just fine!

I am a somewhat long-time reader and have watched your process and progress along the way, but have never commented. I have shared your blog with a few of my friends who want to lose weight but don't know how or don't have the confidence to do it. You are the example I give them. I just really do not understand negative people on the internet, and I probably never will. I agree if you don't like it, move on. You are a great example of someone who is being themselves with no apologies. I follow a lot of blogs, but I can honestly say I very much look forward to your posts. I love the ups and downs you post, the good and the bad. Keep it up and please don't change or stop blogging!!

I just want to hit LOVE on this! You have worked your a** off and are reaping the benefits of all that work - AND teaching your kids not only that hard work pays off, but to be proud of (and love) yourself no matter where you are in your own personal journey.

I just want to hit LOVE on this! You have worked your a** off and are reaping the benefits of all that work - AND teaching your kids not only that hard work pays off, but to be proud of (and love) yourself no matter where you are in your own personal journey.

The world needs more Mothers, Girl Bosses and Women like YOU!!! It would be a better place and from the comments here that is happening #youdoyou Hats off to your Mom Megan and Thank You for being the same #bethesameppp

The lessons you are teaching your daughter are far more valuable than you know. She will grow up knowing that if there's something she is not happy with, she CAN fix it. Be it her body, a relationship, a job. Whatever is not making her happy SHE CAN WOR HARD AND FIX HER SITUATION. Do you know how much I admire my own mother for teaching me that? As an adult, she will always think to herself "what would Meg do?" and remember what she grew up seeing: A hard working mother who fixed what was making her unhappy while not wearing a shirt!!!. People are always jealous of what they see others accomplish and can't accomplish themselves. DO NOT LET YOURSELF BE DISCOURAGED. You are awesome!

P.S: I know exactly what you mean about having Crossfit as a common interest with your spouse. It gives you more stuff to talk about and do together and friends in common.

i needed this today. your newest post. I thought I failed as a mother yesterday when my son told me I could "borrow his money" out of his piggy bank to go to chick fil a because I don't have chick fil a money right now. I found 10 bucks in my purse and took him to get something to eat because he didn't want anything at home. I thought I failed. I cried standing in line damn knowing we have good food at home. I hope that is something I teach my son, just like you teach your kids, you do anything for them. thank you Meg, I appreciate your inspiration more than you know.

Very ironic that I am reading this today. My daughter, who is 25, has been struggling with her weight for years and so have I. She probably has 20-30 pounds to loose and me a bit more. We loose and gain the same weight over and over again. We were just texting back and forth about it and I said "why can't we love ourselves more then food". Why do I go from one quick fix to another only to gain it back. I actually said to her that I have been a terrible example. Reading this motivates me and reminds me that when I do get bored to just switch things up instead of going back to my old habits. And to pray for the motivation to be there every single day! Thanks for sharing!

I wish we lived in a world where people did not feel the need to comment and degrade others for their efforts towards wellness and their own personal happiness. I appreciate all that you share. I feel it gives people encouragement to work toward their own goals. I aspire to be the type of mom that shows my daughters and son strength, determination, and resilience. No one is entitled to say mean things to you or anyone else. Never let them steal your shine.

I'm so sorry about the bad messages! I am a long time reader and I find that your amazing love for your family is what shines through in each post. I appreciate you taking care of your health and inspiring us to do the same. Keep smiling and do know that your heart shines through each time and it makes me smile. Have an amazing day super woman! {hugs}